Pavlova with Rose Cream, Cardamom & Salted Caramel Shards

Serves 8-10 / Prep time 30 mins / Bake time 1.5 hours

The first time I had pavlova was when I was invited to a Christmas lunch with my husband's family. This is my mother-in-law Wendy's recipe, to which I have added an Eastern twist.

Pavlova with rose cream, cardamom and salted caramel shards Photo: s

Ingredients

Pavlova

• 4 egg whites
• 3 tbsp cold water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1 tsp white vinegar

Rose cream

• 300ml fresh cream
• a couple of drops of rosewater

Salted caramel shards

• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 tbsp salt flakes
• 60ml water
• 1-2 cardamom pods, seeds extracted and crushed

To garnish: fresh berries of your choice

Method

Preheat oven to 160°C.

Grease a sheet of foil, then run it under a cold tap.

Beat egg whites with an electric beater or mixer till stiff. Add water, then gradually add sugar. Slow the beater and add cornflour. Next, add the vanilla essence and vinegar. The mixture should now be thick and glossy and should stay in whichever position you pull it.

Place the mixture onto the greased foil on a baking tray (just pile it in a circular mound about 20cm high, gently flattening the top so you can decorate it).

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes at 160°C and then turn the oven down to 130°C for 1 hour. It should be a light creamy/pale gold colour.